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Lady Marsh seemed to read her thoughts in her face, for she gave a sardonic smile, also very much like Oliver’s. “I am not at death’s door yet, Miss Greentree, although some would have you believe I was. I have come to see you because I like you. There are not many young ladies I like, but I find you are one of them. My nephew likes you, too. He is not an easy man to manage, but you seem to have the knack.”
Vivianna smiled—she could not help it. “I do not want to ‘manage’ him, Lady Marsh. I only want him to change his mind about Candlewood.”
“Nevertheless, he seems quite taken with you, Miss Greentree.”
Vivianna felt the color in her face. A little earlier she had been discussing with Aphrodite how taken with her Oliver was….
“I told him about the dream,” Vivianna had said, trying not to feel self-conscious under Aphrodite’s scrutiny. “It pleased him, I could see that.”
“Of course it did, mon chou. And he came to this meeting? A thing he professed to hate, just to see you?”
&
nbsp; “I think he must have. I cannot believe he came for his own edification. Besides, he was very rude to some of the other guests.”
Aphrodite had smiled. “He fights it, but he cannot win. You must play along with him, Vivianna, listen to your body, and then, when the moment is right, you will close your hand upon him and force him to your will.”
“When will the moment be right?” Vivianna had asked softly.
“You will know. The seductress inside you will know.”
“Miss Greentree?”
“I—I am sorry, Lady Marsh. I am sure that your nephew is not at all—”
“I am sure he is, and that you know it, no matter how modestly you may protest.”
Vivianna laughed. “You must be right, then, Lady Marsh.”
“I am always right,” the older woman said. “You may not know it, but Oliver has altered a great deal since his brother died. He needs someone to help him forget that particular episode, although his feelings for his brother, of course, do him proud. But it is time for him to put Anthony’s death behind him and move on. He has his life before him, and he is the last of the Montegomery line.”
“He needs a wife and an heir,” Vivianna replied.
Lady Marsh’s eyes narrowed. “Indeed he does. I am a little surprised, however, that you would say so. And yet…I am glad you speak plainly, Miss Greentree. I prefer it. This new generation is far too easily shocked for my liking.”
“Then I will be plain, Lady Marsh, for I prefer it, too. My interest in your nephew is his ownership of Candlewood. That is all. And I think you exaggerate my importance to him.”
Lady Marsh thumped her cane again. “Hmm, well we shall see. There was something more I wanted to ask you before I leave. My nephew is accompanying me to the opera tomorrow evening, Her Majesty’s in the Haymarket. Italian Opera—it is all the rage these days—the queen is very fond of it. They are performing L’elisir d’amore—The Elixir of Love. Sounds appalling to me, but it might be just the thing for Oliver. Will you join us?”
Vivianna’s amusement at Lady Marsh’s description of Donizetti’s opera gave way to genuine surprise. The invitation was so unexpected. “I don’t know if I—” she began.
“It would please me very much, and you will be able to speak to my nephew about your shelter. Surely such opportunities should not be missed, Miss Greentree, in the circumstances? How many days is it now, until your orphans must vacate?”
She was right, of course she was. A rebellious tingle of excitement curled through her. Yes, she wanted to see him, to talk with him, and Lady Marsh—who seemed so supportive—would be there, so matters could not get out of hand. It would be a perfect opportunity.
“I accept, ma’am.”
Lady Marsh’s harsh face relaxed into a smile of approval. “Excellent. Now, if you would call my servant to help me, I will bid you farewell.”
The servant—a burly man—was called, and Lady Marsh was helped, painfully, to her feet and assisted to her carriage. When she had gone, Vivianna wondered what it had all meant. Was Lady Marsh looking her over, in preparation to adding Vivianna to her list of possible wives? It seemed ridiculous and frightening—Oliver was the last man she wished to marry!—and yet…there had been speculation in the old woman’s gaze as it rested upon Vivianna.
What, she wondered, would Oliver think of that?
Vivianna smiled, and could not seem to stop. Oh yes, she admitted it with a little shiver, she was looking forward to seeing him again. And she was suddenly very happy that Lady Marsh had given her an excuse to do so.
Chapter 12
Oliver nodded at his aunt’s elderly butler as he stepped inside her Eaton Square house. “Is her ladyship ready, Bentling?”
